GO-GO ACQUIRE TYLER SMITH AND CHRIS MANTIS, SELECT NOLAN HICKMAN IN 2025 NBA G LEAGUE DRAFT
WASHINGTON, DC – The Capital City Go-Go, the NBA G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards, acquired Tyler Smith, Nolan Hickman, and Chris Mantis in the 2025 NBA G League Draft.
Capital City acquired forward Tyler Smith (G League Ignite, second overall) in exchange for the rights of Ace Baldwin, Cam Carter and the returning rights to Jalen McDaniels and Davion Mintz in a trade with the Osceola Magic. The Go-Go also selected guard Nolan Hickman (Gonzaga, fifth overall) and acquired Chris Mantis (Maine, 20th overall) in exchange for the rights of J.Z. Zaher and the returning rights to Darryl Morsell in a trade with the Birmingham Squadron.
Smith (6-9, 224) was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2024 NBA Draft (33rd overall) and averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while on assignment with the Wisconsin Herd during the 2024-25 season. Prior to joining the Bucks, the 20-year-old spent the 2023-24 season as a member of G League Ignite where he recorded averages of 13.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Hickman (6-2, 190) appeared in 139 games at Gonzaga where he averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team as a senior, earned All-West Coast Conference Second Team recognition as a junior, and was named to the All-Freshman Team. He is ranked ninth all-time in school history with 225 three-pointers.
Mantis (6-7, 175) spent the 2024-25 season with the University of Maine where he averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Prior to joining the Black Bears, Mantis spent three years at Appalachian State where he helped the team to a conference championship during the 2023-24 season.